Chapter 217

[Third Person's PoV] 

Shadow, the original Cid Kaguno, sat upon a makeshift throne, cloaked in shadows that seemed to writhe and breathe around him. Before him, the members of Shadow Garden knelt in reverent silence, each one a dark silhouette against the faint glow filtering through the room. Beyond the towering windows, a blood-red moon cast its ominous light across the landscape, as if heralding a coming storm.

Shadow gazed at the crimson orb, his eyes unfocused, appearing lost in thought. He finally spoke, his voice low and resonant, slicing through the silence. "Do you all feel it?" he asked, the words thick with foreboding.

The members of Shadow Garden exchanged puzzled glances before Beta dared to answer. "Feel what exactly, my lord?" she asked, a hint of confusion evident in her tone.

"A feeling of dread... a foreboding calm before the storm," Shadow murmured, leaning one arm against the throne, his gaze still locked on the moon. "The Blood Moon... it shines as an omen of what's to come."

Inwardly, Cid celebrated, his thoughts triumphant: 'Nailed it! The classic 'calm before the storm' cliché! I've always wanted to say that!'

Beta's eyes widened as she followed his gaze. "You're right, my lord! The Blood Moon... it's a dreadful sign," she gasped, her voice filled with awe and worry.

'As always, thanks for the support, Beta,' Cid thought, reveling in his followers' reactions.

Before Cid could continue his theatrics, his brows furrowed. A strange energy pulsed in the room, an anomaly he hadn't foreseen. His eyes narrowed as a small, swirling portal materialized between him and Beta, catching everyone off guard.

Weapons were drawn in an instant. Shadow Garden members sprang to defensive stances, blades gleaming in the moonlight, while Shadow himself remained seated, feigning a calm composure. Yet, his fingers tapped the armrest of his throne, betraying his intrigue.

From the portal tumbled a small figure—a tiny girl who landed clumsily on the stone floor, rolling before sitting up, rubbing her head. "Ouchie!" she exclaimed in a sweet, high-pitched voice.

"A... baby?" Alpha tilted her head, her confusion mirroring that of the others.

Cid's thoughts raced as he tilted his head in bewilderment, 'What kind of script is this?'

The little girl, unmistakably Celeste, blinked up at Shadow with wide, innocent eyes. A bright smile spread across her face as she reached her small arms toward him, eyes gleaming with recognition. "Dwddy!" she cried with pure joy.

Shadow blinked, his usual air of authority slipping for just a second. "Huh?" he muttered, his composed facade fracturing.

"WHAAAAAT?!" the members of Shadow Garden shouted in unison, their exclamations reverberating through the room.

Shadow rose from his throne, unsheathing his sword as he approached Celeste, his eyes narrowed in suspicion. "I will not be deceived by your innocent appearance, you... foul beast!" he declared, pointing the blade toward her, trying to mask his confusion.

"Dwddy?" Celeste's smile faltered, her still outstretched arms slowly lowering, her expression darkening as her eyes filled with tears. "Dwddy…" she whimpered, hurt by his rejection. Her tiny frame shook as she began to hiccup, her lips quivering.

Then came the wail. "WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!" Celeste cried, her sorrow-filled scream echoing throughout the chamber. The sheer force of her cry shattered the glass panes of the tall windows, sending shards scattering across the floor.

The members of Shadow Garden cringed, covering their ears against the piercing sound. Alpha reacted quickly, stepping forward and scooping Celeste into her arms, gently patting her back as she rocked the child soothingly. She shot Shadow a rare look of disapproval. "Shh, it's alright, little one... It's going to be okay," she murmured, her tone soft and comforting.

Celeste clung to Alpha, still sniffling as she buried her face in her shoulder. Inwardly, she thought, 'Daddy doesn't want me anymore... He doesn't love me now that he has other children!'

Alpha continued to rock her, glaring at Shadow with a silent command in her eyes: Fix this.

Shadow scratched his head, looking awkward and out of his depth. This was hardly what he had expected.

"You want your daddy, don't you, little one?" Alpha said in a gentle tone. "He was just... surprised to see you, wasn't that right, Lord Shadow?"

"I'm not—"

"Isn't that right, Lord Shadow?" Alpha reiterated firmly.

"Ah... yes, yes," Shadow conceded, lowering his sword and clearing his throat. "It seems I... had a lapse in judgment."

Satisfied, Alpha handed Celeste over to him. Shadow hesitantly accepted the child, holding her at arm's length as he scrutinized her. Celeste gazed up at him with watery eyes, her nose runny, her face streaked with tears, giving him a heartbreakingly sad look.

'What... What kind of technique is this?' he thought, feeling a strange compulsion to dote on her. 'Why do I suddenly want to... comfort it?'

Reluctantly, he brought her closer, and she snuggled against his chest, her small hands gripping his coat tightly. Exhausted from her distress and the energy it had taken to travel here, Celeste's eyelids drooped. "Daddy…" she murmured softly before drifting into a deep, peaceful sleep.

Shadow's posture relaxed, and he carefully returned to his throne, cradling the sleeping child. Alpha watched him with an intent gaze. "My lord… who is this child? She claimed you as her father."

Shadow looked at the sleeping girl, brow furrowed in bewilderment. "I don't remember... fathering a child…" He muttered under his breath, inwardly panicking, 'I'M A FREAKING VIRGIN! And I'm broke! How am I supposed to afford child support?!'

Gamma leaned in, studying Celeste's features with an assessing eye. "But, my lord… she does bear a striking resemblance to you. There's no denying it."

Delta tilted her head, her gaze curious. "Did Bossu start a pack... without Delta knowing?"

Epsilon clapped her hands in excitement. "She's just so adorable! Look at her, sleeping so soundly. I wonder who the mother could be if Lord Shadow is indeed the father?"

"I CALL DIBS!" Several members of Shadow Garden raised their hands simultaneously, enthusiasm lighting up their faces.

Shadow hissed, "Shhhh!" He glanced down at Celeste, still slumbering in his arms. The group immediately silenced themselves, covering their mouths as he shot them a withering glare.

After a moment, Alpha's expression grew serious. "In all seriousness, my lord… who is her mother? Who could you have possibly…?"

A new voice echoed through the chamber, deep and resonant "Her mother... is known as Aurora…"

Everyone turned sharply, weapons raised once more as Celeste's shadow began to elongate and warp. The shadow darkened, pooling on the floor before rising slowly, taking the form of a towering knight clad in ancient armor, a massive sword at its side.

Shadow Garden members gripped their swords tightly, their eyes narrowed in caution. Shadow, however, remained seated, holding Celeste protectively.

"So," Shadow addressed the figure, his voice calm but sharp, "you must be the monstrous creature I sensed near this child."

The knight inclined his head respectfully. "Indeed. I am Igris, once known as the Blood Red Knight. I have been entrusted with the protection of the Young Monarch Princess."

'Holy shit! I didn't even know he was there! If he wanted to kill me I would have been dead, a long time ago' Cid's eyes sparkled with interest. 'Igris... What a perfect name. And... that entrance! He stepped out of her shadow! This guy is incredible—I need to learn that technique! Once I master the technique of stepping out of the shadows I'll truly be a Eminence in the Shadows'

Alpha glanced at Shadow with a newfound respect. "My lord... forgive me for doubting you. I should have known you'd never aim a weapon at a child. I underestimated you."

Beta's voice trembled slightly as she pieced things together. "Wait… did you say her mother is Aurora? The Witch of Ruins, Aurora?!"

Shadow looked down at the sleeping child in his arms, a reluctant smile forming as he muttered, "I see the resemblance now…"

Epsilon gasped, her eyes wide. "You... had a child with the Witch of Ruins?"

Before Igris could correct them, Shadow interrupted. "So," he addressed the knight with an air of acceptance, "I take it you're my daughter's protector, Sir Igris?" Shadow said, already fond of Celeste and claiming her as his daughter. 

Igris gave a solemn nod. "The name is Igris, And that I am. I am sworn to safeguard the Young Monarch Princess, as per my oath."

'This Igris is just so... dope,' Cid thought, his grin widening.